FOLLOWUP: City says Morgan Junction Park expansion is $7.5 million project, with $4.8 million already spent

(WSB photo, park addition site, last month)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Last month, as reported here, the Morgan Community Association and Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association sent a long list of questions to Seattle Parks. The questions were largely generated by an unsatisfying briefing at the quarterly MoCA meeting regarding the long-in-the-works Morgan Junction Park Addition project.

Backstory: After community sentiment swelled for adding a skatable “all-wheels” feature to the plan – aka a skatedot – the city said that could be done, and MJAWA formed to do what its community volunteers could to help make it happen. Then recently the city said it didn’t have money after all to include that in the project, so MJAWA would have to lead community fundraising to pay for it – and at a much higher price than skating infrastructure experts had said it would take. All this happened against the backdrop of interdepartmental trouble over finishing the process of cleaning up the site, which currently is pretty much a giant fenced-off hole.

So the questions had to do with clarity about the budget and the project status. The Morgan Community Association received a document today with at least some of the replies. Here’s the document; following are a few key points:

*Project budget: $7,560,000, including acquisition costs more than a decade ago. We were told at the time that the purchase price was just under $1.9 million, but the Parks document lists “acquisiion cost” as $2.7 million, without a breakdown.

*Spent so far: $5.7 million, including the aforementioned acquisition costs and $1.6 million described as “construction” though nothing’s been built at the site (Parks says cleanup work done so far is part of this).

*Remaining money: $1.8 million

*What they expect to need: The entire $1.8 million (more than half of that for the actual park construction – not including a skateable feature – $900,000 construction contract, $300,000 expenses such as sales tax and “escalation”)

But the most significant numbers differential is between what renowned skatepark builders at Grindline, who have worked with MJAWA on a design, believe it would cost, and what Parks says it would cost. In the new document, Parks says:

The cost estimate provided by Grindline varies from the cost estimate provided by SPR for the following reasons:

Grindline’s estimate EXCLUDES a number of critical items: Design/Design review support (geotech/structural/civil/larch, etc.), SPR Labor (inspections and PM), Contractor labor, escalation (estimate is from 2024), survey, demo/disposal, earthwork, drainage, supporting sitework outside the feature (concrete/plantings, etc.) contractor mobilization/markup, sales tax, and design/construction contingency. It also excludes the cost to address improvements associated with the skatedot but not within the footprint.

SPR numbers include estimates for these items at a schematic level and are comprehensive of the total project cost. These costs will be refined as we move forward and the design becomes more detailed.
Skatedot Cost Estimate Overview:
Grindline’s 2024 estimate: $160,000 (w/o tax)
Design team’s 2024 professional cost estimator for skatedot materials and labor
only: $300,000 (w/o tax)
SPR’s escalated hard cost estimate (incl tax, contingency, and anticipated
supporting site work): $700,000
Additional Design fees anticipated: $150,000
Total cost:~$850,000

Once again, this estimate will likely be reduced as the project moves through the design process and uncertainties are resolved. SPR is committed to working with MJAWA to refine the design, hone in on cost, and try to find a path forward that works best for the park and community.

More followups to come, but for those interested in the ongoing saga, we published the questions so wanted you to have the chance to read the first round of answers. (The document also has some information on what’s next and when, saying most of the project site should be ready for hydroseeding next month – once the hole is filled – to grow grass that would enable temporarily reopening the site to public use.)

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Health concerns cancel Alki Point Lighthouse tours until at least next year

August 1, 2025 9:03 pm

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| Safety | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(File photo, from U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, whose volunteers manage weekly tours of the historic Alki Point Lighthouse, had already announced tours were canceled for last Sunday and this Sunday, as often happens for midsummer staffing challenges. But now there’s new word that tours are canceled for the rest of the season and won’t resume any sooner than next year. Here’s the explanation:

Recent testing has revealed a higher level of lead in the lighthouse structure (from old paint) than was previously found. The Coast Guard, out of an abundance of caution, will not allow public access to the site until the lead level can be significantly reduced.

We are hopeful that a remediation plan and funding will come through and that the lighthouse will again be able to welcome visitors at some point, although we do not have a timeline yet.

The lighthouse was built in 1913 and is a West Seattle icon. We’ll follow up Monday to try to find out more about how the problem was found and what process will ensue to try to mitigate it.

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Seafair Air Show and West Seattle side effects: Saturday’s schedule

August 1, 2025 8:31 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

Those are four of the Blue Angels, photographed today from Duwamish Head by David Hutchinson, Wherever you were in West Seattle, you likely heard and/or saw a pass or two during the Seafair airshow (which is mainly aimed at people watching from Lake Washington). In north West Seattle, you might also have seen/heard a military helicopter circling (thanks to JayDee for the tip), apparently waiting for its airshow turn, while over south West Seattle, you likely noticed a lot of civilian air traffic overhead, especially between about 1 and 2:30 pm. As online flight trackers verified, that was commercial jet traffic being diverted because of the air show, which is on a similar schedule tomorrow, so be ready for another round of sound. The lineup can be found on the Seafair website and the Museum of Flight website – the MoF is again having its Jet Blast Bash all weekend, which includes (with admission fee or membership) the chance to watch the Blue Angels take off from Boeing Field before their performances, scheduled to start just after 3:30 pm both days this weekend.

(Thursday photo by Jamie Kinney)

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: What police found in gunfire suspect’s apartment

August 1, 2025 5:37 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Seattle Police photo)

That photo was provided by Seattle Police along with narrative details we requested on the report from last night’s gunfire arrest at a South Admiral apartment. As we reported in real time, reports of a gunfire inside a unit in the apartment building at 3262 California SW around 10:45 pm brought out police, including negotiators who eventually talked him out. The report says the 36-year-old suspect emerged through a window he’d broken with some of the gunfire. After arresting him, police obtained a search warrant; this is what the report narrative says they found:

… officers located and recovered six firearms inside of (the suspect’s) bedroom. Officers located two assault rifles (one .223 caliber and one 7.62 caliber), three semi-automatic pistols (.40 caliber) and one revolver (unknown caliber). During an identifications check, officers learned (he) was a convicted felon. Officers also recovered numerous spent shell casings, of different calibers, from (the suspect’s) apartment.

We haven’t yet found details of the suspect’s record, which appears to be primarily in Kitsap County. Meantime, the other information in the police-report narrative suggests it’s miraculous no one was shot; one building resident said the suspect had shot at her window five times before police arrived; once they got there, the report continues:

Officers stood by for more resources, and as they awaited … several additional gunshots, about four to six, went off from inside of (the suspect’s) apartment. This repeated about three to four more times. As the gunshots rang out, officers continued to hear (him) yelling incoherently. Also, as the gunshots rang out, at that same moment, officers heard the sound of glass breaking and the sound of bullets striking concrete, directly outside of (his) bedroom window, indicating (he) was shooting directly at his window from the inside.

When sufficient police units arrived, officers attempted to establish contact … Officers hailed (him) by yelling to him from outside, as his front door was closed. Officers ordered (him) to surrender, but he refused, yelling back to officers multiple times “No!”. Officers continued to attempt to negotiate (but he) did not comply until Seattle Hostage Negotiators (HNT) … arrived on scene … they established contact with (him) and took over negotiation efforts. HNT was able to get (him) to surrender, and he exited his apartment (through his bedroom window he shot up while officers were outside) and surrendered. Officers placed him into custody without further incident.

Officers also conducted a security sweep and welfare check of (his) apartment, under exigent circumstances for possible gunshot victims, but during the search officers did not find any additional persons inside. Officers did observe (his) bedroom door and walls were riddled with bullet holes. The smoke from gunfire was also still lingering in the air and officers observed multiple shell casings scattered throughout (his) residence.

Additionally, as (he) was firing rounds from inside his apartment, officers formed a contact team and went door to door, to each apartment, and evacuated residents. Officers learned that when (he) was shooting off firearms inside his apartment there were five residents inside of theirs. … Each resident were terrified, tried to move toward somewhere they thought that was safe (within their apartment) and feared they were about to be shot.

After being treated for (non-gunshot) injuries last night, the suspect remains in King County Jail, held for investigation of multiple counts of assault and unlawful gun possession. We don’t yet know if he had a probable-cause hearing today; if he didn’t, that’ll likely be held tomorrow.

ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: We don’t have the hearing document yet, but the jail roster shows the suspect’s bail was set today at $500,000.

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VIDEO: Grand-opening party for new South Delridge building The Keystone

August 1, 2025 2:33 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

On the South Delridge site where an auto shop once stood, and where a self-storage building was once proposed, The Keystone is about to open, with 74 apartments and ground-floor commercial space. Development partners STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor) and Housing Diversity Corporation held a small rooftop grand-opening party Thursday afternoon.

Even on a partly cloudy afternoon, the roof offered a peek view of Puget Sound and The Olympics to the west:

STS’s Craig Haveson expressed pride that The Keystone is finishing ahead of schedule and under budget, among other achievements, including transformation of its corner:

The building at 9201 Delridge Way SW is across the street from The Livingstone, which holds STS’s headquarters, and The Bluestone, also built by STS. Its partnership with Housing Diversity, meantime, is also constructing The Junction’s biggest current project, at 4448 California SW. But right now, the spotlight is on The Keystone, and HDC’s Brad Padden had a few words too:

Financing was key in these challenging times to getting the project going, and part of it – as explained when we covered The Keystone’s groundbreaking – was provided by Citizen Mint, whose Josh Hile was there to celebrate too.

(The food mentioned at the end of the clip was catered by West Seattle’s own Falafel Salam.) Several units were open for self-guided tours. 65 of The Keystone’s 74 units are one-bedrooms:

If you’re looking for a different apartment experience, check out the loft units:

(The Keystone was designed by architects Atelier Drome.) In addition to the one-bedrooms, The Keystone has six 2-bedroom units and three small-efficiency dwelling units (aka microstudios). 15 of its units are rent-restricted via the city Multifamily Tax Exemption program (there are income requirements to qualify for those). According to the print brochure circulated at the building, one-bedroom apartment rents start at $1,369.

The building’s ground-floor commercial spaces, totaling about 4,000 sf, are still in search of tenants; here’s the flyer.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Lining up in pursuit of pink salmon

August 1, 2025 12:34 pm

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks for sending the photos! It’s a sight you’ll only see every two years – people fishing almost elbow-to-elbow on Lincoln Park‘s north shore, in pursuit of pink salmon. The photo above is from Mike M. today, busier than this scene captured by Steve Pumphrey on Thursday:

The run is an every-other-year phenomenon, and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife says this year’s run is huge:

The 2025 Puget Sound pink salmon forecast is 7.76 million — up 70% from the 10-year cycle average — and predicted to be the third largest total return on record (up from a 2023 forecast of 3.95 million and an actual return of 7.22 million).

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CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge closing to surface traffic August 23-24

August 1, 2025 11:03 am

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

The next low-bridge closure is set for the weekend of Saturday-Sunday, August 23-24. Here’s the announcement from SDOT:

The Spokane St Swing Bridge, commonly known as the low bridge, was built in 1991 and serves as a crucial link across the West Duwamish Waterway, especially for people walking, rolling, and biking. To keep the bridge reliably operating, starting August 23 and continuing through August 24, the low bridge will be closed for people driving, biking, rolling, and walking for about two days. During this time, crews will be repairing a part called a “manifold” on the turn cylinder that was installed in June. This turn cylinder manifold controls the flow of fluids within the turn cylinder, which helps manage how fast the bridge moves.

Work on this project, which includes other ongoing maintenance, is expected to continue throughout 2025.

Over the next year, additional short-term closures will be required as part of our ongoing preventative maintenance work on this bridge. That means that in the future, the low bridge will be closed again to people walking, biking, rolling, and driving.

We’ll be asking SDOT a few followup questions, including what time on August 23 the closure is expected to start.

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Outdoor concert at The Mount, Blue Angels, HPIC First Friday, more on our list!

August 1, 2025 9:58 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Blue Angels on Thursday, seen from West Seattle – photo by Dawn Roeder)

The Seafair Weekend Festival is the big event for the next three days, and while that’s mostly happening outside West Seattle (except for flyovers), it tends to mean there’s not much else scheduled. But here’s what IS happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SUMMER SCRAMBLE SCAVENGER HUNT: This is Day 2 for the Summer Scramble scavenger hunt. Not too late to jump in!

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

SHIP TOURS: The two US Navy ships that sailed by during the Parade of Ships on Tuesday are open for tours at U.S. Coast Guard Pier 46 downtown, 10 am-4 pm daily through Sunday. Info, rules, maps are here.

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: The spraypark is open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm), Delridge, and Hiawatha (both noon-5:30 pm) will be open today.

COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water pool is open to the public today, noon-7 pm.

SEATTLE TERIYAKI HISTORY & MORE: See this new exhibit at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) while the museum is open noon-4 pm today.

QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: The Elections Group meets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 2-4 pm.

BLUE ANGELS: Today, the US Navy aerobatic team is scheduled to be up once for the Seafair Weekend Air Show approximately 3:35 pm-4:40 pm (and always subject to change). If you go to Lake Washington to watch, no admission charge today; otherwise, you might see the occasional flyby in this area after the Boeing Field takeoff.

HPIC FIRST FRIDAY: Music, food, fun at Highland Park Improvement Club‘s 12th/Holden site, 5:30-8:30 pm.

OPEN MIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts an open mic for all genres, 6-8 pm.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: First concert of Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s four-Friday series, 6 pm, Danny Vernon with The Illusion of Elvis. Free, and/or bring $ to buy barbecue dinner available starting at 5:30 pm. Also, bring your own chair. South side of The Mount’s campus. (4831 35th SW)

DUBSEA FISH STICKS: 6:35 pm home game vs. the Seattle Samurai is sold out, as is season-closing night tomorrow!

AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, music at 8, Rootbeer, Surf the Pines, Alberta and the Dead Eyes at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), $10, 21+.

LISTENING & SIGNING AT EASY STREET: Listening party and signing for Nation of Language at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Vitamin D spins tonight! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD: Skating with live music – tonight, Darcy Carlson – 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $18 cover/$5 skates.

If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Memorial service planned August 22 for Patricia C. Doran, 1937-2025

August 1, 2025 9:04 am

| Comments Off on Memorial service planned August 22 for Patricia C. Doran, 1937-2025

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather August 22 to remember Pat Doran, and are sharing this remembrance with the community now:

Patricia (Pat) Carolyn Doran
March 17, 1937 – June 27, 2025

Pat Doran passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, surrounded by her daughters, son-in-law, and the love of her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Dick) Doran; her parents, Frances and Anton J. Kraft; her sister, Joann Crabtree; her nephew, Damon Dunckel, and her beloved dog, Abby — who was more like a third child than a pet.

Pat was born and raised in Yakima, WA, where she attended Catholic school from grade school through high school. There, she made lifelong friends—and a few lifelong memories that, as she liked to say, were best left unwritten.

In January 1958, she married her sweetheart, Dick Doran, after he proposed under the glow of the northern lights. They settled in West Seattle, where they built a life together and raised their daughters, Allyse Doran Pagán and Janine Doran.

Pat previously worked as a bookkeeper in a Yakima pharmacy, but her favorite job by far was at Husky Deli in West Seattle. She loved serving her community and working alongside people who became like family.

Once their daughters were grown, Pat and Dick split their time between Seattle and Sun City, Arizona. They spent winters in the sun—golfing daily and spending time with nearby family and friends. They returned to Seattle each summer once the weather was finally up to par. They moved to Arizona full-time in 2008 and were happily married for 56 years.

Pat was a proud thrifter. Estate sales, Goodwill, garage sales—she had a talent for finding treasures and a real flair for showing them off.

She was also deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. Throughout her life, she stayed active in the church, teaching catechism, organizing community events, and never missing Sunday mass.

In her final years, Pat returned to West Seattle to be closer to her daughters. She quickly became beloved at her assisted living home—known as the strong, sassy, independent woman with a big heart and a quick wit.

Even in her final days, Pat remained sharp as ever — especially when it came to card games. Whether it was cribbage or mahjong, she played to win (and usually did). Her competitive streak never faded, and neither did her love of a good laugh around the table.

Pat leaves behind her daughters, Allyse Pagán and Janine Doran; her son-in-law, Sal Pagán; grandchildren David Pagán (Elysia), Rachel Pagán, and Sarah Pagán; and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Kathleen (Bill) Wagner, and many nieces and nephews who loved her deeply.

She will be remembered for her fierce love of family, her faith, her sense of humor, and her ability to make a room warmer just by walking into it.

Pat’s funeral will take place at 10:30am, August 22, 2025 at Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle.

Pat will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of your favorite charities that support children or animals. These were two causes that were dear to Pat’s heart.

Please share memories and sign the guestbook at: emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/Patricia-Doran

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: First day of August

August 1, 2025 6:03 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, August 1, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high around 80 (which was Thursday’s high). Today’s sunrise was at 5:47 am; sunset will be at 8:43 pm.

ROAD WORK

-Repaving continues on California SW between Holly and Frontenac.

-Crews are working on curb ramps for all four corners of 60th/Admiral.

-The major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center continues – details here. Here’s the latest.

-Admiral Bridge work continues.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.

Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, and on other weeknights with Mariners home games.

STADIUM ZONE

The M’s are home, 7:10 pm game tonight vs. Texas, with postgame fireworks.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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